The young Earl of Blakeney is bankrupt. Back in England after serving bravely in the Duke of Wellington's army, he has lost everything at the gaming tables. He announces to his friends at White's Club that the London tradesmen to whom he owes money have decided to make an example of him and that, unless he can settle his debts, they intend to have him imprisoned in the Fleet Debtors gaol. A mysterious fellow member, Doran Winton, overhears his story....